As elder Michael Wardle commented: “It’s been a long process – years of merger discussions, and then bringing four congregations together to form one new church. Prayerful consideration, planning, selling three sites to raise funds, more planning … the demolition of a Victorian corrugated mission church used as a “temporary” hall for 90 years … new foundations, gothic arches, and an eye-catching tower. And at last, on Sunday 11 September 2011, we, as The Cornerstone congregation, marching in the light of God, processed from the old building to the new, carrying the Bible and communion elements.”
Standing with thanksgiving in the (almost) completed first phase of the new building, the congregation heard The Cornerstone’s minister, the Revd Sohail Ejaz, draw on the work to move out of the old building, suggesting that we also declutter our spiritual and emotional lives, learning to say good-bye to that which is passing. He urged us to prayerfully surrender past and future to God, seeking the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
Perhaps the simple message of the day was heard in Revd Ejaz’s young people’s address – when he encouraged the congregation to be like a signaling mirror, reflecting the light of God through our lives and into the community.
In the next two weeks the old building, seen on the left of the photo, will be demolished and, in time, a new church hall will be built. For more information on the history of The Cornerstone, and its future plans, please visit the church website link to the right.
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